Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, here on Oct. 28, has improved in his second season in Denver. / david zalubowski/AP

Written by

Arnie Stapleton

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD — Von Miller was such an athletic freak coming out of Texas A&M that his mentor, former Aggies coach Mike Sherman, joked he probably could have crumpled quarterbacks with one hand tied behind his back.

That’s sort of what the Denver Broncos strongside linebacker had to do after tearing ligaments in his right thumb last November. He played the stretch run and the playoffs with a cast that prevented him from grabbing and shedding offensive linemen.

Although he faded toward the finish and was even benched in some situations, the second overall pick in last year’s draft went on to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in a landslide and made the Pro Bowl, a validation of John Elway’s first big move as the Broncos’ boss.

It’s only gotten better in Year 2.

“I have no doubt that I’ll be a totally different player next year,” Miller declared after running post-practice sprints one day in January. “It will be night and day between this year and next year.”

Even though he has nine sacks, including a career-best three against Cincinnati last week, Miller isn’t just Elvis Dumervil’s pass-rushing partner anymore.

He’s rounded out his game, dropping into coverage more and playing the run better while still getting after the quarterback — he’s tied with Houston’s J.J. Watt for the NFL lead with 17 tackles for loss, which is two shy of his entire total from his rookie year, and he trails only Watt’s 10½ sacks for the league lead.

“I think he’s becoming more of a complete player,” coach John Fox said. “Some guys don’t work on their weaknesses, they just kind of roll around on their strengths. And I think in his case, he’s worked on some of the things he didn’t do as much in college and that is mostly coverage and how he fits into the cover scheme.

“He’s obviously got a lot of great abilities to rush the passer. I think that was evident a year ago, and I think it’s evident again this season. He’s a really terrific young guy that’s not afraid to work hard.”

Miller said his thumb injury that required surgery last year was actually a blessing because it forced him to focus on technique and not rely so heavily on his athleticism.

“You really take for granted your hands. You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” Miller said. “Playing with one thumb and one and a-half hands, it helped me be more technically sound. Before, I was just moving around, just using all athletic ability.”